Duet 25-27 Gal 5

Gal 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Many years ago I was starting business, with a partner. We went to see a lawyer about drawing up a contract between us. At one point in time I asked the lawyer why do you keep focusing on the negative parts of this business. I don’t think we are going to have all these problems. The lawyer’s response was “My job is to help you figure out what to do when it all falls apart. If everything goes fine you will never need to refer to this contract. The contract is only there to help you when and if it all falls apart”. Later I was very grateful for that contract. In the same way in Deut we find God giving them the rules for when it all falls apart, What to do when the husband dies or what to do about the beggars, or if the kinsman will not except the wife of his brother. However, in Gal 5 we find Paul speaking of what it should be like, when it is working the way it is suppose to. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law". If we chose to live with the Spirit there is no need for the law. If we walk with the Spirit we will live the spirit of the law. Matt 22:37-40 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

My prayer this morning is, may the fruit of the Spirit be the fruit of our lives.

Pastor Jack

Next reading: Duet: 28,29 Gal: 6